GOODBYE, BOB: Kehoe, former U.S. captain and coach, passes away

Robert “Bob” Kehoe, the only man to captain and coach the U.S. men’s national team, died Monday afternoon in hospice care. He was 89.

Kehoe made four appearances with the national team in 1965 and coached the U.S. during qualifying for World Cup qualifying in 1972.

“Just an incredible man,” National Soccer Hall of Famer Pat McBride told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “I played with, against and for Bob during my career. He was an incredible storyteller and just a humble, approachable man. As a player, I’ve heard people kid that your team was down 1-0 as soon as Bob stepped on the field against you.”

Kehoe also was the first American-born coach in the North American Soccer League, directing the St. Louis Stars in 1969.

He is a member St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame and into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.